Four Fast Sides for Thanksgiving

These dishes are a layup

Daniel Meyer photo

The biggest meal of the year does not need to be a days-long laborious project. Consider side dishes that take no time, with vegetables front and center.

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

Time: 30 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

You can trim and halve these Brussels sprouts or cook them whole — adding a little water if you’ve decided on the latter.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 slices bacon

1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts

Salt and pepper

Instructions

Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Chop 6 slices bacon; add them to the skillet. Trim the Brussels sprouts.

Cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until it releases some fat and crisps in places, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the Brussels sprouts to the partially cooked bacon, along with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and ½ cup water.

Cover and cook, checking once or twice and adding small amounts of water as needed, until the Brussels sprouts are a little shy of tender, 6 to 10 minutes, depending on…